http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk Browse the latest news from Bracknell Forest Council, now live to you via RSS feeds en-gb Fri, 03 Sep 2010 2:03:25 GMT Copyright Bracknell Forest Council 2009. These pages and feeds, unless otherwise stated, are copyright protected. All rights reserved. http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/syndication/ 15 http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/council_logo.gif http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/news.htm http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/news.htm?itemid=73650 Residents of Bracknell Forest are urged to make sure their names are on the voters' register when it's next updated on December 1. Forms are now being delivered to all households in the borough and everyone is reminded that it's a legal requirement to respond to the form. If the details on the form are correct and there are no changes to be made, residents can respond to the council by free phone, online or via SMS text. However, any changes to details must be done on the form, which should be signed and returned by fax (01344 353246)or by post. The register will be used for Bracknell Forest Council elections in May 2011 and only those residents on the register will be entitled to vote. Daphne Gray, the council's registration services manager, said: "Paying council tax does not automatically put you on the register. But if you fill out the form as soon as it arrives and send it back to us as quickly as possible you will have the chance to have your say in May. "A quick response to the form also means the council doesn't spend taxpayers' money on repeat forms and even personal visits. "And don’t forget that 16 and 17 year olds can be included on the form if their birthday is before December 1, 1993." For more information call 01344 352000 or email electoral.registration@bracknell-forest.gov.uk or visit www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/your-council/yc-electoral-services Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:22:00 GMT Bracknell Forest Council News http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/news.htm?itemid=73650 http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/news.htm?itemid=73648 Bracknell Forest Council's children's services is a well managed department with good staff support and takes appropriate steps to safeguard young people, according to Ofsted inspectors. Inspectors made an unannounced visit to the department in August and their findings, published today, September 2, show there are strong areas and satisfactory practice within the team's work. During the two day visit, the inspectors looked over a range of things including electronic case records and supervision files and notes. They also observed social workers and senior practitioners undertaking referrals and assessments and spoke to a range of staff from managers to social workers and administration staff. The inspectors noted that the team had the following strengths: Contact, referral and assessment arrangements are very well managed, with good management oversight. Referrals are responded to appropriately and cases are allocated without delay. Staff morale is high and managers offer good support. Child protection concerns are responded to promptly and joint work with the police is effective. The needs of young people who present themselves to the council as homeless are appropriately identified, assessed and responded to. Social workers have access to a wide range of training, which they find useful in their day-to-day work. Janette Karklins, director of Children and Young People's services at Bracknell Forest Council, said: "I am pleased that inspectors recognised the strengths of our children's services when they made their unannounced visit this summer. This is a great testament to the team, who work hard to ensure young people and children in Bracknell Forest are safeguarded against abuse and neglect. "As with most inspections, there are areas the inspectors highlighted for us to develop and we will now be working to improve those areas."   Areas highlighted for development include: Fully establish common assessment framework reporting.   Make clear in reporting that children are seen alone. Cllr Gareth Barnard, executive member for children and young people, said: "The inspectors were very positive about the service we are providing for our young people. Some of these children are the most vulnerable in our community, so it's pleasing and reassuring to hear that independent inspectors agree we have a strong system in place which requires minimal development. "Of course, we're not complacent and will continue to make improvements to ensure the best possible service is in place for all our children and young people." Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:09:00 GMT Bracknell Forest Council News http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/news.htm?itemid=73648 http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/news.htm?itemid=73620 The borough's bookworms can turn their hands to more than reading when they visit Bracknell Library. Crafty residents can have a go at everything from painting on glass and making greetings cards to beading and table centre decorations at the craft sessions for adults. They are held at the library in Town Square every six weeks, with the next one on Tuesday, September 7, starting at 2pm and lasting for around two hours. The sessions are free, but people taking part are asked to make a small contribution to the cost of materials. Avid readers can share their literary views at the monthly afternoon reading group for adults. The group meets every first Friday of the month, starting at 1.30pm. The books for discussion are chosen by the members of the group or by the librarians. The next meeting is on Friday, September 3. Cllr Iain McCracken, executive member for culture, corporate services and public protection, said: "Everyone is welcome to join these groups, in fact the more the merrier and more interesting. It's a great way to meet people who share your interests and you can also find out what else is on offer at the borough's libraries. There's so much going on to appeal to all age groups." For more information about events or activities call 01344 423149 or visit www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/learning/learn-libraries.htm or keep up to date with what's happening on the libraries' Facebook page www.facebook.com/bracknell.library Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:40:00 GMT Bracknell Forest Council News http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/news.htm?itemid=73620 http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/news.htm?itemid=73619 Hundreds of people from across Bracknell Forest and beyond will be remembering their loved ones at Easthampstead Park Cemetery and Crematorium's Annual Open Air Memorial Service on Sunday, September 5. The memorial service is now in its 23rd year and is organised by the Bracknell Forest Council-run cemetery and crematorium to offer those who attend a chance to pay their respects to loved ones and to gain comfort from readings, prayers and hymns. The Mayor of Bracknell Forest, Cllr Ian Leake, will read a poem during the service and other readings will be made by Reverend David Uffindell from Holy Trinity Church in Sunningdale; Deacon David Morgan from St Swithans Roman Catholic Church in Yateley;  Reverend Chris Russell from Camberley Baptist Church and Belinda Forbes, Civil Celebrant. The service starts at 3pm at Easthampstead Park Cemetery and Crematorium in South Road. It is free to attend and is open to any member of the public.  Tea and coffee will be available after the service. For more information, visit www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/liv-easthampstead-park-cemetery-and-crematorium Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:29:00 GMT Bracknell Forest Council News http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/news.htm?itemid=73619 http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/news.htm?itemid=73616 A talented young golf star in the making will be putting her way to the top thanks to a scholarship from the Downshire Golf Complex. Jodie Morris, 15, has impressed coaches at the Bracknell Forest Council run course so much that for the next year they will be taking her under their wing to nurture her talent. Jodie was awarded the scholarship, which will run as part of the Golf 4 U Academy, for her achievements in the sport over the past year. Since starting at the course as a junior member, she has dramatically reduced her handicap from 35 to 18. Through hard work and coaching from the Downshire's head professional coach, Wayne Owers, Jodie also won the girls' over 13s event in the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Junior Partnership competition. It was here that she was selected to represent Berkshire at the prestigious Lee Westwood Academy. Just recently, Jodie also won the National Association of Public Golf Courses (NAPGC) Championship qualifier with a fantastic score of 46 stableford points, which also qualifies her to play in final at St Andrews. Paul Stanwick, golf facility manager at Downshire Golf Complex, said: "We are delighted to offer Jodie a scholarship for her achievements in such a short space of time. The team of golf professionals are committed at the Downshire Golf Complex to encourage junior participation into the game of golf." Jodie added: "I am delighted to be offered a golf scholarship at the Downshire, which will be very beneficial to improving my game, and I look forward to representing the Downshire in the future." For more information about Downshire Golf Complex its facilities visit www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/be   Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:47:00 GMT Bracknell Forest Council News http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/news.htm?itemid=73616 http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/news.htm?itemid=73607 Parts of Bracknell Forest's heritage have been preserved this summer to ensure they are a mark on the borough's landscape for years to come. Two milestones that had become damaged over the years have been refreshed to ensure they remain part of the borough's heritage. Bracknell Forest Council undertook the work after a resident and member of a local history society pointed out they were in such disrepair they may not stand the test of time and a valuable part of the borough's history could be lost. The milestones are located near the Red Lion pub in Bracknell Town Centre and just off Lily Hill Park on the London Road. The London Road milestone was subject to further damage earlier this year as it was knocked down by a vehicle. Erosion was also present in these stones, which date back to the 1800s, as they had been previously covered in an oil-based paint, which traps moisture and wears away the stone from within.   The milestones are an important part of Bracknell Forest's past as they gave people an indication of how far they were along two of the borough's most significant turnpike roads - the main routes for carriages and coaches.   The milestone on the London Road was a marker for coaches travelling between Reading and Staines and there was a tollgate at Lily Hill Park. Cllr Iain McCracken, executive member for culture, corporate services and public protection, said: "These milestones were in danger of being lost forever, so the borough council has taken action to preserve them for future generations. They make up part of our heritage so I'm glad they have been restored and will be there for people to enjoy for many years to come." For anyone wanting to find out more about the borough's heritage, there is a series of free activities taking place from Thursday, September 9, until Sunday, September 12. For more information visit www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/leis-heritage-projects Tue, 31 Aug 2010 11:50:00 GMT Bracknell Forest Council News http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/news.htm?itemid=73607